Cigarette packaging



T. H. NASH CIGARETTE PACKAGING Filed Dec. 14, 1954 Fig. 3

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nited States Patent CIGARETTE PACKAGING Travis H. Nash, Jonesboro, Ark.

Application December 14, 1954, Serial No. 475,087

1 Claim. (Cl. 206-41) This invention generally relates to improved and novel cigarette packaging and more specifically provides an improved snap opening device for use in conjunction with a cigarette package for providing an easily operated closure means for the cigarette package when in use.

An object of this invention is to provide a closure means for a cigarette package including a device that is positioned in the cigarette package when the package is formed as a unit wherein the device will remain with the cigarette package during the use thereof.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a cigarette package including a closure means that is responsive to lateral pressure adjacent one upper corner of the cigarette package for actuating the closing means from a closed position to an open position wherein the closure means normally returns to a closed position, either by inherent resiliency or a resilient member secured theret0.

Yet another important object of the present invention is to provide an improved novel and inexpensive cigarette package that is simple in construction, universally adaptable to various types of cigarette packages, well adapted for its intended purpose, and eicient in operation.

These, together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent, reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the cigarette package of the present invention with the closure flap being in open position with a cigarette extending through the opening in the top of the cigarette package;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view showing the cigarette package of the present invention with the closure means and a portion of the end wall being broken away to show the details of construction thereof;

Figure 3 is a top plan external view taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 3 3 of Figure 2 showing the details of construction and the provision of the closure member;

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view similar to Figure 2 showing the closure ap in open position and showing the concavity of the vertical leg of the flexible strip, thereby raising the closure flap;

Figure 5 is a top plan sectional view taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 5-5 showing the shape of the flexible member when lateral pressure is applied to the side edges thereof, thereby forming a concave member and raising the closure ap; and

Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the right angular closure strip of the present invention having a at upper leg and a slightly concave vertical leg.

Referring now specifically to the drawings, it will be seenVIVA tliat" the numeral 10 generally designates the' improved and novel cigarette' package ofithe Apresent' invention including an outer wrapping of cellophane 12 or similar material, an inner wrapping of paper 14, and a protective inner member of metallic foil 16 which represents a conventional construction. The package 10 generally includes an end wall 18, side walls 20, a top 22, a bottom 24, a tax stamp 26 and a plurality of cigarettes 27 positioned therein.

As illustrated in Figure 6, a closure means, generally indicated by the numeral 28 and including a right angular strip of semi-ilexible or semi-rigid plastic material, is provided with an elongated vertical leg 30 and a shorter horizontal leg 32 integrally formed, and adjacent the junction thereof on the inner surface of the corner is provided a resilient member 34 for assisting in returning the horizontal leg 32 to its horizontal position. As illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the horizontal leg 30 is generally flat, and vertical leg 32 of the closure strip 28 is generally slightly concave in its normal position and t-he legs have a width substantially equal to the width of the end wall 18 and the horizontal leg 32 extends over an opening 36 in the top 22 of the cigarette package 10 and the vertical leg 30 extends between the paper covering 14 and the metallic foil lining 16. When lateral pressure is applied by the lingers 38 and thumb 40, the vertical leg 30 assumes a concaved position, as illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, wherein the entire length of t-he closure strip 28 will tend to assume a concaved position, thereby generally straightening the horizontal leg to be coextensive and lie substantially in the same plane as the vertical leg 30, thereby opening and providing access through the opening 36 to the interior of the package or receptacle 10.

It Will be understood that the closure strip 28 may be positioned in the cigarette package 10 during the formation thereof and t-he top 22 may be perforated so that the cigarette package 10 may be expeditiously opened by lateral pressure on the side edges of the vertical leg 30 adjacent its junction with the horizontal leg 32, thereby raising a portion of the top 22 upwardly and forming the opening 36 wherein the horizontal leg 32 will become an opening and closing ap for the opening 36 in the top 22 of the cigarette package 10 which forms a closure means that is convenient to operate, efficient in operation, and is relatively inexpensive to manufacture wherein the cigarettes and cigarette package will retain the same taut.

Although the vertical leg 30 of the elastic or resilient strip 28 is illustrated as being slightly concave, it will be understood that the leg 30 may be substantially flat for insertion into the cigarette package during or after manufacture thereof Without interference with the cigarettes therein.

From the foregoing, the construction and operation of the device will be readily understood and further explanation is believed to be unnecessary. However, since numerous modications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the appended claim.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

A closure device for a cigarette package, comprising a right angular strip of semi-flexible material being normally very slightly concave with respect to the interior of the package with one leg thereof extending alongside one end wall of the package and substantially coextensive therewith and the other leg extending over a portion of the top, thereby forming a closure for an opening in the top, said strip having edges engageable by nger pressure for bending the edges farther inwardly, thereby exerting longitudinal pressure for straightening the strip and pivoting the top leg upwardly and providing access to the interior of the package, the elasticity of the material and the permanent formation of the right angle over the top causing the device to return to its closedy positionupon release of nger pressure against the edges of the strip.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Pinney Aug. 13, 1918 Rioux Sept. 12, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Switzerland Apr. 16, 1940 

